Factors predicting proclivity and intensity to volunteer for the environment in the US and South Korea

This research compares environmental volunteering among students in South Korea and the US (n = 3612). Given differing environmental histories of these countries, we explore whether and to what extent volunteer proclivity and intensity varies, and potential factors that explain existing variation. Findings suggest that American students are more likely to volunteer for, and devote time to, environmental causes, while South Korean students differ on socio-economic correlates of such behaviour. In a global society, understanding determinants of environmental volunteer participation is critical to the management of environmental NGOs that are involved in broad-based and participatory planning, educating stakeholders and legitimising environmental advocacy.     

Root causes of hydrocarbon leaks on offshore petroleum installations

Hydrocarbon leaks on offshore installations may result in severe consequences to personnel, to the environment and to assets. In order to prevent such leaks, it is crucial to understand their root causes. The objective of this paper is to study the circumstances of hydrocarbon leaks on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). In the study, all reported hydrocarbon leaks from process inventories on all offshore installations on the NCS, with an initial leak rate higher than 0.1 kg/s in the period 2008–2014, have been considered. This includes 78 hydrocarbon leaks, of which about 60% have occurred during manual intervention on normally pressurized systems. The dominating activity when leaks occur is preventive maintenance. A significant fraction of the leaks occur during the preparation for maintenance; such a preparation is typically carried out during the night shift. About half of the leaks are associated with wellhead area and manifolds, separation and compression systems. A substantial fraction of the leaks can be associated with verification faults, dominated by the failure to comply with procedural requirements that are needed to carry out independent verification.     

Drinking water quality: An in vitro approach for the assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic load in water sampled along distribution system

An in vitro approach was performed to assess the quality of drinking water collected at two treatment/distribution networks located near the source (Plant #1) and the mouth of River Po (Plant #2). The water was sampled at different points of each distribution network, before (raw water) and after the chlorine dioxide disinfection, and in two points of the pipeline system to evaluate the influence of the distribution system on the amount and quality of the disinfection by-product. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of water extracts were evaluated in human peripheral lymphocytes and Hep-G2 cells by the use of the micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay. Raw water samples of both plants induced cytotoxic effects, but not the increases of MN frequency in Hep-G2 cells and in human lymphocytes. Increases of DNA damage in human leukocytes was detected by Comet assay for raw water of Plant #2 at concentration ≥ 0.25 Leq/mL. The disinfection process generally has reduced the toxicity of water samples, even if potential direct DNA-damaging compounds have been detectable in drinking water samples. The proposal approach, if currently used together with chemical analysis, can contribute to improve the monitoring drinking water.     

Work environment risk factors for injuries in wood processing

Problem

The reported injury rate for wood product manufacturing in Maine, 1987-2004, was almost twice the state-wide average for all jobs. Method: A case-control study was conducted in wood processing plants to determine preventable risk factors for injury. A total of 157 cases with injuries reported to workers' compensation and 251 controls were interviewed. Results: In multivariable analyses, variables associated with injury risk were high physical workload, machine-paced work or inability to take a break, lack of training, absence of a lockout/tagout program, low seniority, and male gender. Different subsets of these variables were significant when acute incidents and overexertions were analyzed separately and when all injuries were stratified by industry sub-sector. Impact on industry: Generalizability may be limited somewhat by non-representative participation of workplaces and individuals. Nevertheless, these findings provide evidence that many workplace injuries occurring in wood processing could be prevented by application of ergonomics principles and improved work organization.     

Incorporating the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiation Protection into the J-value analysis of nuclear safety systems

The newly released findings by the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) led to a review of the lifetime risk coefficients for fatal cancer used in J-value analysis of nuclear safety systems. The change in life expectancy a safety system brings about by averting a radiation exposure needs to be estimated in order to calculate the safety system's J-value, and this is done following the ICRP's practice of using risk coefficients that are uniform across both genders and all ages in the defined population group (either workers or the general population). The ICRP predicted uniformly lower radiation risks in 2007 than in 1990 on a like-for-like basis, but it was found that the ICRP's new risk coefficients needed to be multiplied by a compensating factor specific to each population when used in calculating the radiation-induced change in life expectancy. Incorporating the new compensating factor leads to a decrease in the J-value calculated of about 5% for workers and 15% for the general population compared with earlier, reported results. These adjustments are not large compared with the uncertainties associated with radiation harm and the economics of installing a safety system, but will strengthen slightly the case for spending on a nuclear safety measure.     

Measurement of particle concentrations in a dental office

Particles in a dental office can be generated by a number of instruments, such as air-turbine handpieces, low-speed handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, bicarbonate polishers, polishing cups, as well as drilling and air sprays inside the oral cavity. This study examined the generation of particles during dental drilling and measured particle size, mass, and trace elements. The air sampling techniques included both continuous and integrated methods. The following particle continuous measurements were taken every minute: (1) size-selective particle number concentration (Climet); (2) total particle number concentration (PTRAK), and; (3) particle mass concentration (DustTrak). Integrated particle samples were collected for about 5 h on each of five sampling days, using a PM_2.5 sampler (ChemComb) for elemental/organic carbon analysis, and a PM₁₀ sampler (Harvard Impactor) for mass and elemental analyses. There was strong evidence that these procedures result in particle concentrations above background. The dental procedures produced number concentrations of relatively small particles (<0.5 μm) that were much higher than concentrations produced for the relatively larger particles (>0.5 μm). Also, these dental procedures caused significant elevation above background of certain trace elements (measured by X-ray fluorescence) but did not cause any elevation of elemental carbon (measured by thermal optical reflectance). Dental drilling procedures aerosolize saliva and products of drilling, producing particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The potential health impacts of the exposure of dental personnel to such particles need to be evaluated. Increased ventilation and personal breathing protection could be used to minimize harmful effects.     

Knowledge, data and interests: Challenges in participation of diverse stakeholders in HIA

Stakeholder participation is considered an integral part of HIA. However, the challenges that participation implies in a multi-disciplinary and multi-ethnic society are less studied. This paper presents the manifestations of the multiplicity of sectors and population groups in HIA and discusses the challenges that such diversity imposes. Specifically, there is no common ground between participants, as their positions entail contradictory knowledge regarding the current situation, reliance on distinct data and conflicting interests. This entails usage of multiple professional and ethnic languages, disagreements regarding the definition of health and prioritizing health issues in HIA, and divergent perceptions of risk. These differences between participants are embedded culturally, socially, individually and, maybe most importantly, professionally. This complex picture of diverse stakeholder attributes is grounded in a case study of stakeholder participation in HIA, regarding zoning of a hazardous industry site in Israel. The implication is that participatory HIAs should address the multiplicity of stakeholders and types of knowledge, data and interests in a more comprehensive way.     

某金矿周边土壤和地下水中砷的健康风险评价

以湖北某含砷金矿污染场地为例,依据《污染场地风险评估技术导则》(HJ 25.3—2014),对其周边土壤和地下水中砷元素进行健康风险评价,结果表明:该金矿周边土壤和地下水中砷分别通过经口摄入土壤、皮肤接触土壤和吸入土壤颗粒物、饮用地下水4种暴露途径的致癌风险均超过可接受风险水平(10-6),对周边居民造成潜在危害。计算得到经口摄入、皮肤接触和吸入途径基于致癌效应的土壤风险控制值分别为1.6 mg/kg、9.3 mg/kg和12.1 mg/kg,应予以重视,并建议对矿山进行综合治理和目标值修复。     

某化工厂致癌有机污染物分层健康风险评估

以某化工厂污染场地为例,根据《污染场地风险评估技术导则》(HJ 25.3-2014),运用HERA风险评估软件,将污染场地分为4层分别进行人体健康风险评估,结果表明:该场地存在高致癌风险,需要修复后才能开发再利用;关注污染物氯仿、苯,在地下0 m~3 m的风险控制值分别为0.07 mg/kg、0.83 mg/kg,在地下3 m~5 m的风险控制值分别为0.15 mg/kg、1.91 mg/kg,在地下5 m~9 m的风险控制值分别为0.40 mg/kg、5.05 mg/kg,在地下9 m~18 m的风险控制值分别为0.73 mg/kg、7.82 mg/kg。与以往计算单一的风险控制相比,分层计算污染物的风险控制值能有效减少治理土方量,降低治理成本。     

铁路卫生监督在新冠肺炎疫情防控中的实践与思考

从创新卫生监督工作模式、融合疫情防控与日常监督、开展线上线下宣传培训、加强铁路餐饮管理、强化口岸站疫情防控督导检查等方面阐述铁路卫生监督所在新冠肺炎疫情期间的防控开展情况和取得的成效,提出履职尽责、主动作为,借助信息手段、提升监管效率,提高业务能力、落实常态化防控等进一步发挥铁路卫生监督作用的建议.